The reactor at the second unit of India's Kudankulam nuclear power plant (NPP) may start commercial operations in November, Russian energy company Rosatom's representative in India Natalia Kudryashova told Sputnik.

The reactor was launched Sunday, after on Friday the Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board issued an approval on the launch of the Russian-built reactor.

"Usually it takes one month to become operational after the unit becomes critical but in this case it may take longer as the regulatory body wants 200 percent of assurance, plus it is a new project for our Indian colleagues, though they have been already operating unit 1 successfully. The NPP Director predicts commencement of the commercial operation in four months," Kudryashova said.

Russia helped India build two nuclear power blocks near the town of Kudankulam in the southern Tamil Nadu state. They are both equipped with VVER-type reactors producing 2,000 megawatt in total. The first power plant unit was connected to the electricity grid three years ago.

Source: Sputnik News